"I Love Lucy" was created so Lucille Ball and her husband could have a family. So, it was a "lifestyle business."* It also was the Star Wars of its era in terms of being technically cutting edge and changing an industry.

IIRC, Plenty of Fish never took VC money.

There are other examples out there. You have to research it if you want it, but it does happen.

* http://micheleincalifornia.blogspot.com/2014/03/i-love-lucy-...